Protesters in Iraq Set Fires at Iranian Consulate

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Protesters at the Iranian consulate in Basra on Friday.CreditCreditNabil Al-Jurani/Associated Press

By The Associated Press

Sept. 7, 2018

BAGHDAD — Angry protesters stormed the Iranian consulate in the southern city of Basra on Friday, setting a fire inside as part of continuing demonstrations that have turned deadly in the past few days, a security official and eyewitnesses said.

At least 10 protesters have died in clashes with security forces since Monday, including three who were shot dead on Thursday night as protesters lobbed Molotov cocktails and set fire to a government building and the offices of Shiite militias in the city.

Residents of Basra and other cities in Iraq’s oil-rich southern Shiite heartland have been protesting since July over endemic corruption, soaring joblessness and poor public services. Clashes erupted earlier this week, leaving several civilians and police officers dead. Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi has ordered an investigation into the violence.

The violence prompted the temporary leader of Iraq’s parliament to call an emergency meeting on Saturday.

The protesters shouted anti-Iranian slogans outside the Iranian consulate on Friday evening, including “Iran, out, out!” before they stormed it and set a fire inside. Smoke could be seen rising from the building. Protesters also burned an Iranian flag.

Many residents of the predominantly Shiite city accuse Iranian-backed political parties of interfering with Iraqi politics, and some hold them responsible for mismanagement and poor services in the city.

This week, Iraq’s newly elected Parliament held its first session since national elections in May. The session was adjourned amid disagreements as two blocs, both claiming to hold the most seats, vied for the right to form a new government.

The new parliament faces the challenge of rebuilding the north of the country after the war against the Islamic State group and rehabilitating services in the south, where severe water and electricity shortages have fueled protests.